The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is the latest major sporting body to come out with a statement against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia has now been banned from the World Juniors, other various international hockey competitions.
In a statement released Monday, the IIHF announced the suspension of “all Russian and Belarusian national teams and clubs from participation in every age category and in all IIHF competitions or events until further notice.”
The IIHF also revoked the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship hosting rights from Russia, as the games were slated to be played in Novosibirsk and Omsk.
The move also affects Russian and Belurassian participation in the men’s and women’s world championship, the men’s and women’s U18 world championship, and the IIHF Continental Cup, where Belarus club team HK Gomel would not be able to participate.
The NHL also released a statement Monday on the situation, stating it’d be ending business partnerships with Russia while pausing its Russian social media and digital channels.
The World Junior Hockey Championships are going to take place in Alberta this summer after being cancelled this past Christmas.
-Ian
